For the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the Kansas City Chiefs are heading into the NFL Draft with a top-10 pick - ninth overall. That’s not a sentence we’ve been able to say in years. But after a 2025 season that exposed some serious cracks in the foundation, the Chiefs find themselves in unfamiliar territory: watching the playoffs from home and navigating a critical offseason with limited cap space and a roster that needs more than just a few touch-ups.
This draft pick isn’t just a silver lining - it’s a lifeline. Kansas City is projected to have the least cap space in the league heading into the offseason, so hitting on this pick is absolutely essential.
And while it might feel strange to say it out loud, the biggest concern for the Chiefs heading into 2026? The offense.
Yes, the same offense that’s been terrorizing defenses for the better part of a decade. But this version of the Chiefs has looked a lot more human - and a lot more dependent on Mahomes’ magic than ever before. In 2025, that magic often had to come with Mahomes running for his life, improvising behind a shaky offensive line, and trying to make plays with a receiving corps that lacked consistency.
Let’s start with the wide receivers. Rashee Rice showed promise, but outside of him, there wasn’t much to get excited about.
Xavier Worthy didn’t quite live up to the hype, and the veteran additions didn’t move the needle. The tight end room, long anchored by Travis Kelce, showed signs of wear.
Kelce’s age is starting to show, and Noah Gray didn’t take the step forward the team hoped for.
But the most glaring issue? The run game.
Kansas City’s offense has always leaned pass-heavy with Mahomes under center, but when they did try to run the ball last season, it rarely sparked anything. The running backs struggled to create space or sustain drives, and with both of them heading into free agency, the Chiefs have a major decision to make.
Enter Jeremiyah Love - the name popping up most frequently in mock drafts tied to Kansas City. The Notre Dame running back is an explosive playmaker, the kind who can change a game in one cut.
He racked up 1,372 yards last season (eighth in the nation) and found the end zone 19 times (tied for third). He’s got the burst, vision, and big-play ability that this offense desperately needs.
With Mahomes recovering from an ACL tear, there’s even more urgency to take pressure off the quarterback and generate offense outside of the passing game. Love could be that guy - a back who can grind out tough yards and also break off chunk plays when the opportunity arises.
He’d also be working with returning offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who helped revive D’Andre Swift’s career in Chicago last season. That’s a pairing worth watching.
Of course, there’s no guarantee Love will be on the board at No. 9.
The Saints pick one spot ahead of the Chiefs and could very well snag him. The Commanders are also reportedly high on the Notre Dame star.
If Kansas City misses out, or decides to wait on a running back, wide receiver becomes a strong option.
Jordyn Tyson is a name to watch. His route-running and quickness in tight spaces make him a great fit for an offense that will likely lean on short, efficient throws early in the season - especially if Mahomes isn’t 100% right out of the gate. Tyson’s ability to separate quickly off the line could give the Chiefs the kind of underneath threat they’ve lacked.
But if Kansas City really wants to set Mahomes up for success - and protect their most valuable asset - fixing the offensive line might be the smartest play. The left tackle spot has been a revolving door since Orlando Brown Jr.’s departure, and Mahomes paid the price last season. Too often, he was forced out of the pocket before plays could develop, and that pressure eventually led to his injury.
That’s where a prospect like Proctor comes in. At 6-foot-7 and 366 pounds, he’s a mountain of a man with surprising agility.
He’s already drawing comparisons to a younger, more athletic version of Brown, and he could be a long-term solution at the blindside tackle spot. With Jawaan Taylor’s performance trending downward, this is a move that makes a lot of sense.
And while offense is the headline, we can’t ignore the defense. Specifically, the pass rush - or lack thereof.
Chris Jones and George Karlaftis have done their part, but they’ve needed more help up front. The Chiefs struggled to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks, and that hurt them in key moments.
Rueben Bain Jr. could be the answer. The Miami edge rusher posted 9.5 sacks last season and was a key piece in Miami’s run to the College Football Playoff Final.
In that game, he notched eight tackles and a sack against Indiana, showing up when the lights were brightest. He’s a high-motor player with the kind of explosiveness Kansas City could use off the edge.
So where does that leave the Chiefs? With options - and a critical decision to make.
Whether they go with a dynamic back like Love, a savvy route-runner like Tyson, a cornerstone tackle like Proctor, or a disruptive pass rusher like Bain Jr., this draft pick has to hit. The window with Mahomes is still open, but the margin for error is thinner than it’s ever been.
For a team that’s defined the last half-decade of football, this draft could define the next one.